Thursday, July 31, 2014

In O'Connor's "Guests of the Nation" what is the significance of varying between characters' perspectives?

"Guests of the Nation" varies between characters because each one represents a different perspective on the war. A major theme in the story is the political division between men and women who come from very similar backgrounds. As the narrator, Bonaparte has a unique perspective in his power over Belcher and Hawkins. Belcher and Hawkins have unique perspectives as Bonaparte's prisoners and as Englishmen being imprisoned in a foreign land.


The book's style of varying between characters reaches climactic significance during the execution of Belcher and Hawkins. Without the continual change in perspective throughout the book, the reader might have a different impression of this crucial event. Because the story is told through different perspectives, the reader is able to see how deeply the execution affects Bonaparte and realize that even the most villainous role is taken by a human being with thoughts and emotions.

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